Garment having less-stretchable support

ABSTRACT

A garment comprising a less-stretchable component formed at various locations on and as a portion of the garment; wherein the less-stretchable component has less elasticity than that of part of the garment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a garment formed to provideincreased comfort, support, and/or flexibility to the user. Inparticular, the present invention relates to a personal garment, such asbrassiere, panty and corset that provides a stretchable fit toaccommodate differently shaped and/or sized body portion(s) of a userwhile at the same time providing sufficient support to a desired part ofthe body and maintaining the desired shape.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a garment formedaccording to a standard shape and/or size system, yet capable ofproviding a support to desired shapes and/or sizes occurring within thesame shape and/or size group. In particular, an object of the presentinvention is to provide a brassiere that can provide a support tomaintain the desired shape of the breasts of the user when the brassiereis in use.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a garment that is capable ofproviding additional support, and/or flexibility to the user. Forexample, the garment can comprise a less-stretchable component formed atvarious locations on and as a portion of the garment. In the case of abrassiere, the less-stretchable component can only allow the brassiereto expend or to change form to a pre-determined shape when beingstretched, refraining the brassiere from deforming, thus providingdesired support to the breasts and maintaining desired shape of thebreasts. For example, the less-stretchable component can refrain thebrassiere from substantially conforming to the wearer's changing bodyshape and/or size, such as when the wearer bends her body during variousphysical activities. Once the stretching force is released, theless-stretchable component can contract to the initial shape and/orsize. The less-stretchable component can be formed from any ofless-elastic materials, such as, but not limited to, polymer resin. Theless-stretchable component can be formed on a fabric by screen printingor by applying a film of glue. The pattern of the less-stretchablecomponent is pre-designed.

There is disclosed herein a brassiere cup comprising a shaped sectionhaving a predetermined shape for a user's breast and serving as a breastshaping function; and a less-stretchable component joined to or formedon the shaped section. The less-stretchable component has lesselasticity than that of the shaped section and the less-stretchablecomponent restricts expansion of part of the brassiere cup to allow theshaped section to maintain the desired shape to serve its breast shapingfunction.

Preferably, the less-stretchable component is non-stretchable.

It is preferred that the less-stretchable component is screen printed ona fabric from which the shaped section is made.

Alternatively or additionally, the less-stretchable component may be afilm of glue applied on a fabric from which the shaped section is made.

The less-stretchable component may be located on an inner layer and/oran outer layer of the brassiere cup.

Preferably, the shaped section has a predetermined stretchability.

Optionally, the shaped section is padded or molded.

The less-stretchable component can stretch differently from itsadjoining material. For example, the less-stretchable component canstretch in different directions and/or to different magnitudes from theadjoining materials do.

According to one embodiment, the less-stretchable component may be lessstretchable than the adjoining materials. The garment so formed canprovide an increased support and/or comfort to the user when the user'sbody portion changes in shape and/or size, such as during physicalexercises. Additionally or alternatively, the garment is capable ofaccommodating different users having differently shaped and/or sizedbody portions and providing support and/or comfortable fit to thedifferent users.

There is further disclosed herein a brassiere comprising brassiere cups;a brassiere wing for supporting the brassiere cups on a user; and atleast one less-stretchable component located on the brassiere cupsand/or the brassiere wing. The less-stretchable component has lesselasticity than that of the brassiere cups and the brassiere wing andthe less-stretchable component restricts expansion of part of thebrassiere cups and brassiere wing to allow the brassiere cups tomaintain the desired shape.

The brassiere cups and the brassiere wing are adapted to fit closelyaround and support a user's body portion (i,e,, a woman's breasts). Theless-stretchable component may be formed as a portion of the brassierecups and/or the brassiere wing and provide support thereto, so that thebrassiere is stretchable to accommodate different breast shapes and/orsizes of the user(s) while at the same time maintaining the shape of thebreasts. The less-stretchable component can be formed in any of variousshapes and/or sizes to provide different stretchabilities.

The less-stretchable component may be stretched as needed to allow abrassiere to fit fuller shapes and/or larger sizes of a body portionproviding a flexible and/or comfortable support to the user(s). Thestretched less-stretchable component may also have the capability tocontract, to allow the brassiere to return to its initial shape and/orsize.

The less-stretchable component may have a different stretchability(e,g., different indices of elasticity, different directions offlexibility or other different flexibility characteristics, etc.) fromthat of the adjoining material on the garment to provide a variableflexibility and/or support to the user(s). The less-stretchablecomponent maintains its shape and size while the rest of the garment canbe stretched. In such a case, the rest of the garment expands toaccommodate variations between the shape and/or size of the wearer andthose of a “standard shape and/or size” user while the less-stretchablecomponent maintains its predetermined shape and provides support to theuser.

Depending on the type of garment, one or more less-stretchable materialsmay be used to form the less-stretchable component and provide thedesired support. It will be appreciated that the less-stretchablecomponent can be formed with various other materials, which are alsowithin the scope of the present invention.

The less-stretchable component may be joined to or formed on variousparts (e,g,, brassiere cups, brassiere wing, etc,) of the garment byvarious conventional methods, such as sewing, fastening, adhering,screen-printing and the like.

One of the methods is to apply screen-printing technique to screen printthe less-stretchable component made of polymer resin on a fabric. First,an artwork of pattern of the less-stretchable component to providepredetermined support is to be designed. Second, a screen printingscreen is to be created in accordance with the artwork. Polymer resin isto be used as the media to print out the predesigned screen pattern onthe fabric. The fabric with the predesigned pattern screen-printed is tobe cut and processed to make the end product (such as brassiere cups).

Another method is to apply a film of glue as the less-stretchablecomponent applied on a fabric. First, a film of glue is to be pre-laidon a piece of releasing paper. Second, an artwork of pattern of theless-stretchable component to provide predetermined support is to bedesigned. Third, the releasing paper with the designed pattern is to becut and put on a fabric. Fourth, the releasing paper is to be heatpressed on the fabric and the glue will be transferred onto the fabric.The fabric with the predesigned pattern screen-printed is to be cut andprocessed to make the end product (such as brassiere cups).

It will be appreciated that various other methods such as sewing,fastening and adhering can be used to join the less-stretchablecomponent with the garment, which are also within the scope of thepresent invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way ofexample with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a brassiere having theless-stretchable component of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a brassiere having theless-stretchable component in another pattern and form.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

It can be seen that the less-stretchable component can be formed withvarious materials and on various garments.

In this illustration, the less-stretchable component is formed withpolymer resin on a brassiere.

In FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings there is depicted a brassiere 10having less-stretchable components 20 formed from a less-elasticmaterial, such as, but not limited to, polymer resin. Less-stretchablecomponents 20 are in the form of a stripe lying near the bottom of thebrassiere. The less-stretchable component can be formed on a fabric byscreen printing.

A conventional screen-printing technique is applied to screen print theless-stretchable component 20 made of polymer resin on a fabric. First,an artwork of pattern of the less-stretchable component 20 to providepredetermined support is designed. Second, a screen printing screen iscreated in accordance with the artwork with polymer resin being used asthe media to print out the predesigned screen pattern on the fabric. Thefabric with the predesigned pattern screen-printed is then cut andprocessed to make the end product, such as a brassiere 10 as shown inFIG. 1.

Another option is to use a film of glue as the less-stretchablecomponents and to apply it on the brassiere 10.

In FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of brassiere 12 havingless-stretchable components in the form of squares 30 and dots 40, aswell as stripes 50.

The less-stretchable components 20 can be in any forms or patternsdesired, and can be on any location of the brassiere.

In addition, the less-stretchable components 20 of any forms or patternscan be applied on any garments, not limited to brassieres.

Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe described embodiments, but that it has the full scope suggested bythe above-language, as well as equivalents thereof.

1. A garment comprising a less-stretchable component formed at variouslocations on and as a portion of the garment; wherein theless-stretchable component has less elasticity than that of part of thegarment.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the less-stretchablecomponent is non-stretchable.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein theless-stretchable component is screen printed on a fabric from which thegarment is made.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the less-stretchablecomponent is a film of glue applied on a fabric from which the garmentis made.
 5. A brassiere cup comprising: a shaped section having apredetermined shape for a user's breast; and a less-stretchablecomponent joined to or formed on the shaped section; wherein theless-stretchable component has less elasticity than that of the shapedsection.
 6. The brassiere cup of claim 5, wherein the less-stretchablecomponent is non-stretchable.
 7. The brassiere cup of claim 5, whereinthe less-stretchable component is screen printed on a fabric from whichthe shaped section is made.
 8. The brassiere cup of claim 5, wherein theless-stretchable component is screen printed on an inner layer of thebrassiere cup.
 9. The brassiere cup of claim 5, wherein theless-stretchable component is screen printed on an outer layer of thebrassiere cup.
 10. The brassiere cup of claim 5, wherein theless-stretchable component is a film of glue applied on a fabric fromwhich the shaped section is made.
 11. The brassiere cup of claim 5,wherein the less-stretchable component is a film of glue applied on aninner layer of the brassiere cup.
 12. The brassiere cup of claim 5,wherein the less-stretchable component is a film of glue applied on anouter layer of the brassiere cup.
 13. The brassiere cup of claim 5,wherein the shaped section has a predetermined stretchability.
 14. Thebrassiere cup of claim 5, wherein the shaped section is padded ormolded.
 15. A brassiere comprising: two brassiere cups; a brassiere wingfor supporting the brassiere cups on a user; and at least oneless-stretchable component located on the brassiere cups and/or thebrassiere wing.
 16. The brassiere of claim 15, wherein theless-stretchable component has less elasticity than that of thebrassiere cups and/or the brassiere wing.
 17. A method of manufacturinga brassiere part with a less-stretchable component formed on thebrassiere part, comprising the steps of: (a) designing an artwork ofpattern of the less-stretchable component to provide predeterminedsupport; (b) creating a screen-printing screen in accordance with theartwork; (c) providing polymer resin as a media to print out thepredesigned screen-printing pattern on a fabric; and (d) cutting thefabric with the predesigned screen-printed pattern to form the brassierepart.